Revolving bed



L. M. NORHEIM REVOLVING BED Dec. 19, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 4, 1946 INVENTOR. zua-w/a /7. Wmwzwv BY rHl L. M. NORHEIM REVOLVING BED Dec. 19, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 4, 1946 :competely closed by such pressure. such constriction of the veins is so complete and Patented Dec. 19, 1950 UNITED STATES iAT ENT OFFICE REVOLVING BED Ludwig 'M. Norheim, Garden City,,Mich.

Application November 4, 1946, Serial No. 707,640

3 Claims.

condition is due to the pressure .Li. the e; of zthe body which is supported or a long period of time on limited portions thereof.

Adjacent these limited areas the muscles rare frequently tense and veins supplying blood to the various ."parts of the body and re; .ote limbs are often partially constricted and sometimes 'lz requently times in S'hours, to improve and speed the blood circulation from the remote parts of the body. As can be appreciated, such movement requires considerable energy and greatly detracts from the rest and, therefore, replenishment of tissues and vitality. Moreover, complete circulation in the body augments and maintains a more uni- :form body temperature, especially in the remote limbs, to facilitate greater relaxation and coinbat ailments such as colds and other sir ilar diseases.

It is therefore an essential object of this invention to provide a bed :in which the pressure and weight of the sleeping person will successively be distributed to substantially all the l partsoi the body, such. as the back, a d front, and in which all portions ci'the hotly .vill be periodically relieved of substantially all nressure to allow unrestricted blood circulation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bed whereby substantially complete mental and physical relaxationzma-y ob ained and whereby the time re uirediior recovery from fatigue is vastly decreased.

Still anotherobjectof the invention is to providea nod wherein partial or temporary numb on the plane indicated byline 2--2 of 2 nessof limbs and' aiiiictions, such as nightmares, due to a restriction or decrease in blood circulation is substantially prevented.

A feature of the present invention is to providea rotating bedcomprising a member for supporting a body and means for supporting and rotating the member wherein the position and weight of the body of the sleeping person relative to the'mern'ber is continuously changed.

ill another feature of the invention is to provide a sleeping device comprising the combination of a member having a bottom and eover portion forming-a cavity for a bod-y and having a resilient lining in the cavity, and means for supporting and rotating the member.

Still another feature is to provide :a single means for locking the portions of the member together, for latching the member to the supporting means ina predetermined position relative to the supporting means and controlling the rotating means whereby upon closing the "cover, the single means will automatically unlatch the member from the supporting means and operate the rotating means.

The foregoing, well as other objects, will he'moreapparent-as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is :a plan View or a rotating bed embodying the features of this invention with por- 'ticns broken away for clarity;

Figure 2- is a seotional vl 'v taken substantially Figure 1;

Figure .3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the planeindicated by line '33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken suhstantially on the plane indicated line i- 5 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a View partly in section of a switch control;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by line ii-6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a view partly in section taken substantially on the plane indicated by line 7- of Figure 2;

Figure 8"is asectionall view taken substantially on the plane indicated by line 8-8 ofFigure 1;

supported by a two-part base I4 for rotation by motor I5 mounted on one part of the base I4.

The bottom portion I2 of the member II is of substantially box shape having side walls I6, end walls I! and a floor I8. A bearing I3 is provided in one of the end walls ll of the member II, such as a ball bearing, which revolves around the stationary shaft carried by the base l4. The opposite end H of the bottom I2 is provided with a shaft 2| which rotates in a bearing, such as ball bearing 22, in the base I4.

A resilient lining 23 is provided in the bottom I2 having a cavity or mold 24 adapted to conform to the contour of a body or person. The lining 23, preferably of rubber, such as the sponge rubber variety, is retained in the bottom portion l2 of the member II by means of inwardly extending flanges 25 on the side walls I6.

The cover portion I3 of the member II is hinged along one side to the bottom portion I2 by means of rod 26 and is urged toward the open position by spring 21. A resilient lining 23 is also provided in the cover portion I3, having its adjacent surface supplementing the contour of the lining 23 in the bottom portion I2 which is retained in position by an adhesive or any other suitable means. A breather hole 29 is provided in the cover portion I3 adjacent the head portion of the mold 24. Clearance may also be provided, such as recess 33, for relatively free movement of the arms of the person when the cover is in the closed position.

A latch 3|, accessible from within the member II through a passageway 32 in the bottom and cover portions I2 and I3, respectively, is provided for locking the member II in operative position. The latch 3| comprises an arm 33, pivotally mounted substantially equidistant from its ends on the flange 25 of bottom I2 by shoulder screws 34 and a rod 35 extending longitudinally above the flange 25 of the bottom portion i2 and, when the member is in closed position, within the slot 36 in the cover portion I3. The arm 33, having a substantially C-shaped contour, is provided on its inner edge with a race 37 for engaging keeper 38. An extending portion 39 is provided on one end of the arm 33 for coaction with the cover portion I3, to be described later, and has the rod 35 pivotally connected thereto by means of shoulder screw 46. spring 4|, a guide member 42, and a bearing member 43. The guide member 42 is pivotally mounted on the flange 25 as by pin 44 and has a bolt portion 45 extending into one end of spring 4|. The bearing member 43 comprises a body portion 46 having a bolt portion 47 extendin into the adjacent end of the spring 4|, an operating member or handle 48 secured to and extending upwardly from the body portion 46 and a ball 49 rotatably secured to the body portion 46 and hearing within the race 3'! in arm 33. Shoulders 53 are provided on the guide member 42 and bearing member 43 to bear against adjacent ends of the spring 4| and retain tension thereon.

The two-part base I4 for supporting the member i I comprises an end support 5!, having a foot portion 52 and stationary shaft 2!], and a housing support 53. The housing support 53 of the base I4 includes rectangular walls 54 and a partition 55 for mounting the motor I5, such as by screws 56. Reduction gears 51 are provided on the shaft 2|, secured to the member II, and to shaft 58 geared to the motor I5. A switch 59 for controlling the operation of the motor I5 is mounted on The keeper 38 includes a a raised portion of the partition 55 adjacent the free end 66 of the extending rod 35 having an arm 6| pivoted at one end to the housing support 53 by shoulder screw 62. The arm BI is provided with a projecting nob 63 adapted to engage the free end of the rod 35 and, on its opposite side, with a recess 64 adapted to receive a spring 65. A retainer 66 having a recess 61 is suitably mounted on the housing support 53 to maintain tension on the spring and urge the arm 6| against the contactor 58 suitably secured to the partition 55. Conductors 69 and I6 in the motor circuit connect the arm 6| and contactor 68 with the motor l5, respectively. An opening II is provided in the housing support 53 for receiving the rod 35, when the latter is in its extended position, and thereby locks the member I against rotation relative to the base I4.

As shown in Figure 8, the cover portion I3 is provided with a beveled edge 72 adjacent the extending portion 39 of arm 33 for coaction with the arm while moving into the closed position. A slot.'i3, best shown in Figure 4, is provided in the cover portion for receiving the adjacent end of the pivoted arm 33 to thereby lock the cover in the closed position. The slot 13 is provided with a sloping lower wall '54 for allowing vertical movement of the cover portion I3 as the arm 33 pivots horizontally into the slot I3.

In operation, after a person has positioned himself within the cavity 24, the cover I3 may be closed manually to automatically set the bed into operation, in which case the keeper 38 will assume the position shown in solid lines in Figure 7. To accomplish this, the beveled face I2 on the cover engages the extending portion 39 to pivot the arm 33 into the slot 73, thus locking the cover to the bottom portion I2. At the same time, pivoting of the arm 33 moves the rod 35 out of the opening II, to release the member I I from the base I4, and also moves away from the projecting nob 33 on the switch arm 6| to start the motor. Operation of the motor i5 is accomplished by the spring 65 pivoting the arm 5! into electrical engagement with the contactor 68 to thus complete the circuit through the conductor leads. As is apparent, to stop the bed from rotating and to open the cover, the keeper 38 is moved to the position illustrated in Figure '7 by broken lines, thus pivoting the ann 33 out of the slot in the cover portion I3 and moving the rod 35 into engagement with the base I4 and switch 59.

It is obvious that several modifications of the apparatus for carrying out the invention may be employed. For example, the bed or supporting member for the body may merel be a bottom portion, or conventional bed, with straps or other means for retaining and supporting the person while in the inverted position. Moreover, any means of support for the bed may be utilized. such as an overhead support, and any means of rotation may be used, such as manual or engine power.

It ma be desired to provide means for reading in bed, in which case the breathing opening may be enlarged to provide an outside view and openings may be provided through the cover for ex tending the arms.

It has been found particularly advantageous to rotate the bed at a constant relatively slow rate, such as one revolution during each five or ten minute period. However, this rate may be increased or decreased depending on the condition and effects desired by the particular occupant.

Moreover, periodic rotation may be desired aherein the bed would turn a partial or complete revolution at a desired rate for one interval of time and then remain in one position for another interval of time.

It can be seen from the above description of the invention that the device provides a bed in which the position and weight of an occupant is continuously, or periodically, changed to thereby prevent constriction of the veins supplying blood to various parts of the body. The device therefore Will substantially prevent nightmares and decrease nervous and muscular energy ordinarily required to facilitate and increase blood circulation which is ordinarily lost in conventional beds. In addition, the revolving bed of the present invention is particularly advantageous in cases where a maximum relaxation and conservation of energy is necessary, such as when combating disease. more perfect blood circulation acquired during sleep in the present device, and therefore the more complete distribution of food, replenishment of tissues may be substantially increased, health maintained, energy conserved and, therefore increase in life for the average user.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A revolving bed comprising spaced end supports, a member extending between the supports and having the opposite ends respectively pivotally mounted on the supports for continuous rotation, a cover for the member movable to open and closed positions and cooperating with the member to support a body in a reclining position during rotation of the member, power means for continuously rotating the member, control means for starting and stopping the power means, a movable part for operating the control means accessible for manipulation by the user While in a reclining position between the member and cover, and means between the control means and the part for holding the latter against movement in a direction to operate the control means to stop the power means and operable to release the part as said member assumes an upright position.

2. A revolving bed comprising spaced end supports, a member extending between the supports and having the opposite ends respectively pivotally mounted on the supports for continuous rotation, a cover for the member movable Moreover, due to the to open and closed positions and cooperating with the member to support a body in a reclining position during rotation of the member, a latch mechanism for holding the cover in the closed position with respect to the member and releasable by the user while in a reclining position between the member and cover, power means for continuously rotating the member, control means for starting and stopping the power means, and means responsive to manipulation of the latch mechanism for operating the control means.

3. A revolving bed comprising spaced end supports, a member extending between the supports and having the opposite ends respectively pivot-- ally mounted on the supports for continuous rotation, a cover for the member movable to open and closed positions and cooperating with the member to support a body in a reclining position during rotation of the member, a latch mechanism for holding the cover in the closed position with respect to the member and releasable by the user while in a reclining position between the member and cover, power means for continuously rotating the member, control means for starting and stopping the power means, means for operating the control means including a part movable in one direction to stop the power means and movable in another direction to start said power means, a connection between the latch mechanism and part for respectively moving the part in said first and second named directions as said latch mechanism is released and engaged.

LUDWIG M. NORHEIM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 552,672 Souney Jan. 7, 1896 2,076,675 Sharp Apr. 13, 1937 2,103,693 Pohl Dec. 28, 1937 2,239,821 Knox Apr. 29, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 3,305 Great Britain Dec. 7, 1871 13,181 Great Britain Nov. 2, 1885 168,568 Switzerland July 2, 1934 

